Federal High Court Adjourns El-Rufai’s Suit Against ICPC
Last update: March 12, 2026
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Judge postpones hearing on El-Rufai's suit to allow all parties regularise legal processes...
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El‑Rufai, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and four other respondents until March 25.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik postponed the hearing to allow all parties in the case to regularise their legal processes before the matter proceeds.
When the case was called, El-Rufai’s counsel, Ubong Akpan, informed the court that the matter had been scheduled for hearing but noted that the applicant had only recently filed a response to the counter-affidavit submitted by the ICPC.
He also told the court that the former governor had yet to respond to the submission filed by the Nigeria Police Force through the Inspector‑General of Police.
Lawyers representing the ICPC and the police, Abdulsufiano Abubakar and Ezekiel Rimamsomte, confirmed the development.
Following the submissions, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case to March 25 for hearing.
She also ordered that hearing notices be issued and served on the second respondent, the Chief Magistrate of the Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory, and the fourth respondent, the Attorney‑General of the Federation, who were not present in court.
CBI News reports that El-Rufai is seeking ₦1 billion in damages against the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrate’s Court, the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, filed on February 20 by his counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), the former governor asked the court to grant seven reliefs.
El-Rufai urged the court to declare that the invasion and search of his residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19 by operatives of the ICPC and the police violated his fundamental rights.
He argued that the action infringed on his rights to dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy as guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the Constitution.
The former governor also asked the court to declare any evidence obtained during the search inadmissible, insisting that such materials were gathered through an unlawful operation conducted in breach of constitutional safeguards.
He further sought an order restraining the respondents from relying on or presenting any items seized during the search in any investigation or prosecution against him.
In addition, El-Rufai requested that the court compel the ICPC and the Inspector-General of Police to return all items taken from his residence along with a detailed inventory.
He also asked the court to award him ₦1 billion as general, exemplary and aggravated damages.
In its counter-affidavit, the ICPC told the court that it received a petition against the former governor and subsequently commenced an investigation which led to the search of his residence.
The commission maintained that the operation was carried out under a valid search warrant issued on February 18 and executed the following day between 1:37 pm and 3:56 pm at his home in Asokoro, Abuja.
According to the agency, its operatives were accompanied by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, while the search was witnessed by El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza El‑Rufai, and his son, Mohammed El‑Rufai.
The ICPC urged the court to dismiss the suit and provided a list of items it said were recovered during the operation.
The police, in a counter-affidavit deposed to by Inspector Ewa Anthony, also defended the search, arguing that the force has the statutory authority to detect, arrest, investigate and prosecute offenders.
According to the police, the search was conducted based on a warrant issued by a competent court and that officers involved in the operation complied with all required legal procedures.
The police further argued that the former governor was attempting to use the court process to shield himself from an ongoing security investigation and possible prosecution, urging the court to dismiss the suit in its entirety.
